Cartridge for hemostatic clips

Abstract

A cartridge for holding a plurality of plastic, snap-closure hemostatic clips in a manner which allows each clip to be individually loaded into a forceps-type clip applier. The cartridge consists of an elongated body having a stepped central rail on which open clips are positioned with the head of the clip resting on the step on one side of the rail, and the tail of the clip projecting into a space on the opposite side of the rail. Means are provided for retaining the clips in position on the rail until loaded into the clip applier.

We claim: 
     
       1. A cartridge for holding a plurality of plastic ligating clips, each clip having one leg terminating in a hook-like head member adapted to engage and retain the free end of the other leg of the clip when the clip is closed by pivoting about an integral hinge section, comprising a body member having a base and two side walls forming an elongated channel a central rail extending from the base of said channel along the length thereof parallel to and spaced from said side walls   said rail having a step on one side thereof forming a ledge extending along the length of said rail   a plurality of uniformly spaced notches along the top of said rail angled toward said ledge   and means for holding one leg of a clip in position on said rail with the head of the clip on said ledge and the leg of said clip resting on the angled surface of said notch.   
     
     
       2. The cartridge of claim 1 wherein said notches are angled at about 45 degrees. 
     
     
       3. The cartridge of claim 1 wherein the means for holding the clips on the rail comprise a finger spring bearing on the leg of the clip at a point intermediate the head and hinge of said clip. 
     
     
       4. The cartridge of claim 3 wherein the force of the spring is substantially at right angles to the plane of the leg of the clip. 
     
     
       5. The cartridge of claim 3 wherein the finger spring extends from the base of said cartridge. 
     
     
       6. The cartridge of claim 1 wherein the means for holding the clip on the rail comprise two finger springs extending from each wall of said cartridge body and bearing on the central portion of each leg of the clip. 
     
     
       7. The clip of claim 6 wherein the free leg of the clip is supported against the force of the finger spring by a foam pad. 
     
     
       8. The cartridge of claim 1 wherein the means for holding the clip on the rail comprise a film extending across the open side of the body member and in contact with the clip, whereby the clip is restrained between said film and said rail. 
     
     
       9. The cartridge of claim 8 wherein said film is secured to said cartridge body by means of a cover plate having a series of apertures in registry with the position of the clips on the rail in the cartridge. 
     
     
       10. The cartridge of claim 8 wherein said film is weakened along a line extending above the rail and along either side of the apertures in the cover plate. 
     
     
       11. A cartridge of claim 9 wherein the apertures in the cover plate are unsymmetrical and aligned with the orientation of the clips within the cartridge. 
     
     
       12. A cartridge for plastic ligating clips comprising a cartridge body and a plurality of clips removably mounted therein, each of said clips comprising two legs joined by an integral hinge, one of said legs terminating in a head comprising a hook member adapted to receive and hold the free end of the other leg when said clip is closed said cartridge body comprising a base and two side walls forming an elongated channel   a central rail extending from the base of said channel along the length thereof parallel to and intermediate said side walls   said rail being of a substantially rectangular shape having a step on one side thereof forming a ledge extending along the length of said rail and resulting in the upper portion of said rail being of a narrower width than the base portion   a plurality of uniformly spaced notches along the top portion of said rail, said notches being angled toward said ledge   a plurality of clips positioned on said rail with the head of each clip resting on said ledge and the leg of each clip resting on the angled surface of said notch   and means for holding said clip in position on said rail.   
     
     
       13. The cartridge of claim 12 wherein said notches are angled at about 45 degrees. 
     
     
       14. The cartridge of claim 12 wherein the means for holding the clips on the rail comprise a finger spring bearing on the leg of the clip at the point intermediate the head and hinge of said clip. 
     
     
       15. The cartridge of claim 14 wherein the force of the spring is substantially at right angles to be the plane of the leg of the clip. 
     
     
       16. The cartridge of claim 14 wherein the finger spring extends from the base of said cartridge. 
     
     
       17. The cartridge of claim 12 wherein the means for holding the clip on the rail comprise two finger springs extending from each wall of said cartridge body and bearing on the central portion of each leg of the clip. 
     
     
       18. The clip of claim 17 wherein the free leg of the clip is supported against the force of the finger spring by a foam pad. 
     
     
       19. The cartridge of claim 12 wherein the means for holding the clip on the rail comprise a film extending across the open side of the body member and in contact with the clip, whereby the clip is restrained between said film and said rail. 
     
     
       20. The cartridge of claim 19 wherein said film is secured to said cartridge body by means of a cover plate having a series of apertures in registry with the position of the clips on the rail in the cartridge. 
     
     
       21. The cartridge of claim 19 wherein said film is weakened along a line extending above the rail and along either side of the apertures in the cover plate. 
     
     
       22. A cartridge of claim 20 wherein the apertures in the cover plate are unsymmetrical and aligned with the orientation of the clips within the cartridge.